Major setback for former PCA office bearers Pandove-Walia; duo debarred by Ombudsman

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Major setback for former PCA office bearers Pandove-Walia; duo debarred by Ombudsman

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in

Justice H.S.Bhalla, (Former Judge), Ombudsman-cum-ethics officer, Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) held G.S. Walia and M.P.Pandove , the lifetime members and former office bearers of the association guilty of embezzling the PCA funds and using the same for an unauthorized association named Mohali Cricket Association (MCA).

Taking a strict action against the guilty, Justice H.S. Bhalla in his order dated April 11, 2022 debarred G.S. Walia and M.P. Pandav from every activity related to the game of cricket for lifetime.

Justice Bhalla categorically stated that while exercising powers under Rule 46(3) (b) of Rules and Regulations of the PCA, as they (respondents No.1 and 2 i.e. G.S. Walia and M.P Pandav) have exercised their powers as office bearers and also released the funds to association which was not recognized by the PCA, in any manner.

G.S.Walia and M.P.Pandav the secretary and the treasure of PCA misused their respective positions to siphon off the PCA funds. The duo took a plea that MCA was an affiliated body of PCA which had been proved otherwise as there was no “affiliation certificate” ever issued in this case.

It is noteworthy that the District Cricket Association, Mohali had filed a complaint against G.S. Walia and M.P. Pandav through an authorized person Gagandeep Singh Dhaliwal, s/o S. Karora Singh Dhaliwal in 2021. An investigation was initiated following this complaint.

Justice Bhalla in his order also pointed towards the fact that even the registration of the MCA is under challenge before the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court.

On the other hand, G.S. Walia and M.P. Pandav had given a plea that MCA had been using the facilities such as playground, office and wash-rooms at the Stadium of the PCA. The duo also stated that funds were also released to them and they fulfilled all the requirements. They also stated that it is not the District Criket Asso. Mohali (DCAM) but their association MCA which was liable to be recognized and in fact it has been recognized and that is why they participated in the inter-district Cricket Tournament organized by the PCA and the prize money also released to the winners and runners up.

Major setback for former PCA office bearers Pandove-Walia; duo debarred by Ombudsman . Commenting on the decision Former first-class cricketer & PCA Member Rakesh Handa said that, “At last as per Justice Lodha recommendations, PCA Ombudsman has given a Verdict about Mohali Cricket Association. M P Pandove former BCCI Treasurer and former Hony Gen Sec PCA and GS Walia former general Secretary PCA have been life time debarred from PCA. And also ordered recovery of money transferred from PCA in Mohali Cricket Association a/c. This is a great victory against corrupt practices.